Bridge Design Strength

Problem Scenario

I was curious about how the bridge design really effects how much weight it can hold.

Broad Question

What kind of bridge design can hold the most weight?

Specific Question

Can the bridge design effect how much weight it can hold?

Hypothesis

I believe that a triangle shaped base bridge will hold the most weight.

Graph of Hypothesis

Variables

Independent Variable: Bridge Design
Dependent Variable: Measure in wight

Variables That Need To Be Controlled: Popcical sticks, Elmer's wood glue, same amount of glue, same amount of popcical sticks.

Vocabulary List That Needs Explanation

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General Plan

Two of each bridge designs will be constructed. The two of each bridge design will be tested to see how much maximum weight they can hold. Then the data recorded will be put together on a bar graph to do the following procedures.

Potential Problems And Solutions

Safety Or Environmental Concerns

splinters, inhaling glue, the weights falling on body parts.

Experimental Design

Number Of Trials:

1

Number Of Subjects In Each trial:

3

When data will be collected

After weighing

Number of Observations:

3

Where will data be collected?:

at home

Resources and Budget Table

Data Table

Time Line

January:
Choose topic
Develop Question
Define Hypothesis + Variables
February:
Develop how i am going to preform my experiment
Develop my method and experiment procedure
March:
Preform my experiment
And begin to graph data
April:
Put together poster
Analyze data
Write up conclusion and results
May:
Practice presentation
May 4th KMS science fair
May 10th regional science fair

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Background Research

TRUSS BRIDGES
Truss Bridges are one of the types. Trusses have been built for many years in all places because they are very cheap to make. Their cost and strength are great factors that make truss bridges one of the most used bridges today. Truss bridges are used to cover long distances because of their strength. The triangle patterns push together and strengthen the bridge.


ARCH BRIDGES
Arch Bridges are a very good type of bridges going back to when monasteries where still around. Arch bridges are used in canyons, reviens, and any large gap with sturdy walls. What it does is as the moor weight is on it the more it pushes on the sides of the canyon walls.


BRIDGE DESIGN
The people that design the bridges have to be very good in math and physics. The bridge design mostly depends on the type the engineers want the bridge needs to be. Most bridges today are mostly crosses between two kinds of bride.

References

"Science Project." Selah School District. Web. 02 Apr. 2012. <http://www.selah.k12.wa.us/soar/sciproj2000/ErikJ.html>.

Detailed Procedure

First things first make a rough draft sketch of each bridge design. Next gather the following supply's Elmer's wood glue, and Popsicle sticks to construct the bridges. Next after all bridges are complete wait 24 hours for all glue to dry completely. Then gather a verity of weights ( I gathered two 2.5s, two 5s, two 10s, and then when those weights aren't enough go around your yard and find bricks weigh them and there you go.) Then get two flat surfaces and lay one of the bridges between the to surfaces then begin putting weights on until it breaks, you do this with all three bridges. Once all bridges have been broken and you have recorded your data, you may now start your poster and finishing up finally touches to you project.

Diagram

Photo List

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Results

Raw Data

Rounded: 70
Truss Bridge: 41
Triangle Bridge: 115

Graphs

Photos

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Data Analysis

My graph shows that the bridge design does change the amount of weight they can hold.

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Discussion

I noticed that the more support beans that are constructed on to the bridges made it so they wouldn't rock witch makes it stronger when the weights are on it. I know this because on my 3rd bridge the triangle bridge I had forgot a step and it broke on the first block that I placed on it. But there could have been some possible error to my experiment like not putting enough support beans or maybe not enough glue. But to improve my project i could have added beams then my bridges would be more steady and hold more weight.

Abstract

What kind of bridge design can hold the most weight? I believe that a triangle shaped base bridge will hold the most weight. The truss bridge
has a great cost and strength they are great factors that make truss bridges one of the most used bridges today. Arch Bridges are a very good type of bridges going back to when monasteries where still around. Arch bridges are used in canyons, reviens, and any large gap with sturdy walls. What it does is as the moor weight is on it the more it pushes on the sides of the canyon walls. First things first make a rough draft sketch of each bridge design. Next gather the following supply's Elmer's wood glue, and Popsicle sticks to construct the bridges. Next after all bridges are complete wait 24 hours for all glue to dry completely. Then gather a verity of weights ( I gathered two 2.5s, two 5s, two 10s, and then when those weights aren't enough go around your yard and find bricks weigh them and there you go.) Then get two flat surfaces and lay one of the bridges between the to surfaces then begin putting weights on until it breaks, you do this with all three bridges. Once all bridges have been broken and you have recorded your data, you may now start your poster and finishing up finally touches to you project. In my results the rounded bridge held up to 70 pounds and the truss bridge held up to 41 and finally the bridge i suspected to hold the most was the triangle bridge it held 115 pounds.